Olympic-sized sporting challenge facing France

MANY governments still perceive that hosting major sporting contests commands significant prestige. Yet that assessment may be sorely tested in July and August with the huge challenges facing the upcoming Olympics in Paris.

The event is facing a wide array of risks, including major security concerns. So much so that significant changes have been made already, including scaling back the original opening ceremony arrangements scheduled to take place along the Seine on Friday (Jul 26).

The initial plan of up to 600,000 people occupying first-come-first-served viewing locations for an event has been axed. There will now be an invite-only occasion for around 300,000, although further scaling back is possible.